At the Annual Parish Meeting in January 2010, I noted that I would be writing an article summarizing the ministry review that was conducted last November.

I'll start by reviewing statistics and then cover the results and comments.  Fifty-nine parishioners participated in the review.  Of the 59, 17 were attendees of the 8:00 a.m. service and 42 attend the 10:15 a.m. service.  By this group the numbers responding were:   16>21 ~ 0; 22>40- ~ 5; 41>60 ~ 21; 60> ~ 33.

For 2009, our average Sunday attendance was 115 each week.  The number includes those in Kid's Klub and the nursery.  I'm assuming that is around ten and I've subtracted these from the total.  Therefore, it can be assumed that the 59 responses represent about 56% of those normally attending church on Sunday.  Based on this, it was concluded that the response was reasonable and represented a majority of those who normally attend our worship services.  There were some flaws with the survey itself noted in the comments.  First, it was too long, and secondly, another alternative is needed in the response choices.  There needs to be a category between "Usually" and "Rarely".  This could be something in the area of "Occasionally" or "Sometimes".  These noted shortcomings will be passed on to the next committee and addressed when another parish-wide survey is conducted.

As far as the results of the multiple choice portion of the ministry review, the conclusion is that by far the majority of those responding are pleased or satisfied with Mediator's current ministry.  Taking the review as a whole, of all responses:  53.6% as "Consistently"; 20.63% as "Usually"; 2.60% as "Rarely"; 23.21% were "Don't Know".  Thus 74.2% of answers were favorable, and only 2.6% were marginal.  Please excuse my use of numbers or percentages here, but as an engineer this is the best way I have of summarizing the results.  This indicates that by far the majority of the congregation feels Mediator is on the right track. 

The two areas which received multiple comments and the highest number of "Rarely" responses were the monthly Family Eucharist and the four times a year Morning Prayer performed at the 10:15 Sunday service.  Consideration of both of these services will be reviewed by the Worship Commission along with the comments and suggestions submitted regarding them. 

Another area was the Vestry's feedback to the congregation.  The Vestry will attempt to increase its communication by direct means through the Media-rite articles and will also continue the Vestry person of the month.  With a Vestry person doing the Sunday announcements at each service, one is also available every Sunday for the congregation's feedback on issues. 

Another area noted was the rector's direct involvement with the Sunday school on Sundays.  Maria has indicated she will discuss this possible area of concern with our Christian Education Director.

This was a very favorable review of Mediator's current ministry direction and leadership.  To keep this going it is important that the congregation keep in touch with the church leadership.  The Vestry is committed to keeping the congregation informed through articles in the Media-rite, web page, and verbal announcements, but it is just as critical, if not more so, that the congregation also supply feedback to the Vestry.  There is a Vestry person at each service to do the announcements and also talk to any parishioner about any topic.  Please use this as an opportunity to talk to the Vestry and keep us aware of your feelings and concerns.

Bill Geiger, Junior Warden